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originally posted by Louise Cashell on 20 Apr 2010
I was fortunate to read an article in my local paper (Cairns Post) on The Compassionate Friends. It took me a long time to decide to attend a meeting. I was very nervous as I have never been a ""joiner"". However, within ten minutes into the meeting I felt such warmth, comfort and companionship from people who are all in the same position and actually ""get it"" when it comes to our loss. Before going to meetings there were times I thought I was going insane as I had so many strange, unknown and scary emotionals going on all the time. My thoughts were all over the place and I just couldn't imagine anyone would know what I was going through. I now have a safe sanctuary where I can cry, vent and share my inner most thoughts and feelings. It has been a life saver and I can recommend it with all my heart.

originally posted by Louise Cashell on 20 Apr 2010

I was fortunate to read an article in my local paper (Cairns Post) on The Compassionate Friends. It took me a long time to decide to attend a meeting. I was very nervous as I have never been a ""joiner"". However, within ten minutes into the meeting I felt such warmth, comfort and companionship from people who are all in the same position and actually ""get it"" when it comes to our loss. Before going to meetings there were times I thought I was going insane as I had so many strange, unknown and scary emotionals going on all the time. My thoughts were all over the place and I just couldn't imagine anyone would know what I was going through. I now have a safe sanctuary where I can cry, vent and share my inner most thoughts and feelings. It has been a life saver and I can recommend it with all my heart.

Displaying 3 posts from 1 to 3 of 3
Cheryl Lanigan	14 Aug 2010
Hi Louise, I have been a member of Compassionate Friends for 7 and a half years now and i find it the most sharing and caring group of people who 'get it'. I don't like to think where I might be now if it wasn't for them.
ANN LEWIS	15 Aug 2010
Hi Louise and Cheryl. I'm so glad to hear that you've found comfort from Compassionate friends. I went along to a meeting there some years ago, after being told about them by a friend of my husband. I think, looking back, that it was too soon after my loss, but I came away feeling totally drained after taking in everyone else's emotions as well as my own. I decided that group therapy of that kind was not for me. I do have them to thank for putting me in touch with the Victorian Road Trauma Support services, and after receiving counselling from them, I went on to be the volunteer rep to the Board for them, which I find really fulfilling. Now I've read your comments about your experiences with Comp. Friends, maybe it's time I went back there to find out if now is a better time for me to try them out? Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. xx
dionsmum	19 Aug 2010
we don't have it here that i know of, but when i went down to Adelaide i made a special trip to Glenelg to see the pavers, and the road crash memorial